Tenderloin neighborhood residents and regulars may have noticed some unexpected artwork at the corner of Larkin and Eddy streets. Murals honoring historical Tenderloin businesses and organizations have been created by students at the Academy of Art University, and were installed last week on the exterior of the local PG&E substation.
For the unaware, substations are a key part of our electrical infrastructure. They are the center of electrical junctions, connecting a transmission system to a distribution system. If that still sounds confusing (trust us, it was to us too) watch PG&E's neat little interactive video on substations to learn more.
As useful as they may be, the city's substations are notoriously unattractive. PG&E's Mission substation underwent an exterior renovation in 2013. An estimated 23,000 hours of work was spent power-washing the walls and adding on 233 twisted steel fins to create a sleek facade that was less of an eyesore.
But until this month, Larkin Street's substation remained largely untouched. Now, thanks to a collaboration between Randy Shaw (of the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, Tenderloin Museum and Uptown Tenderloin, Inc), the Academy of Art University and PG&E, the rough windowless walls are slightly more appealing to the eye.
According to an article by Shaw on BeyondChron, this is the third time that the Academy of Art University has "loaned faculty" and students to the improvement of the Tenderloin. Working closely with Uptown Tenderloin, Inc, the professors and students curated a selection of post-1906 landmark events and businesses that took place in the Tenderloin neighborhood.
(Photo: Nuala Sawyer / Hoodline)
The final selection is diverse and varied, ranging from current and former small businesses such as Black Hawk Night Club (which we recently wrote about), Aunt Charlie's Lounge, Newman's Gym, Wally Heider's Recording Studio and the Cadillac Hotel. Also included are local destinations such as Tenderloin National Forest, Glide Memorial Church and Little Saigon.
Supervisor Jane Kim praised the project at its official unveiling on April 10th, saying on her Facebook page that it is "illuminating the Tenderloin's beautiful history."
What do you think about the project? Any local legendary places or people you think should have been added?
